New poverty line theory a joke on poor: Chhattisgarh CM

Raipur, March 23 (IANS) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh Friday hit out at new poverty line definition of the Planning Commission and termed it a "joke with poor people".

"Those who have prepared the definition of the poverty line, lack sense to understand the basic issues of villages and poor people, in fact, the new theory is a joke with poor people," Singh remarked, when mediamen sought his reaction over a controversial new definition of poverty line.

The central government is facing strong criticism in and outside parliament for the Planning Commission's new definition of people living only on less than Rs.28 per day in urban and Rs.22.50 in rural areas as poor.